Latest U.S. move pushes duties on Canadian softwood lumber over 35%
A statement from the American department says the duty for most Canadian companies is being increased to 14.63 per cent, up from 6.74 per cent, after it determined softwood lumber from Canada was being unfairly subsidized.
The increase is on top of a recent jump in anti-dumping duties to 20.56 per cent, bring the total duty level for Canadian softwood to 35.19 per cent.
The department says it will now instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting the money.
Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council, says in a statement that the decision places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders.
Story continues below advertisement
4:32
Canada's softwood lumber industry gets federal help to deal with U.S. anti-dumping duties
The council says both the Canadian and U.S. governments need to make resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'In the absence of a negotiated settlement, BCLTC will continue working closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to defend Canadian interests through all available legal channels, including proceedings under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,' the statement says.
The BC Council of Forest Industries says the provincial government needs to take action including streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales and removing cross-ministry bottlenecks.
'With the right policy tools, B.C. can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for B.C., Canada, and beyond,' president Kim Haakstad said in a statement.
Story continues below advertisement
Prime Minister Mark Carney was in B.C. this week promising $700 million in loan guarantees for the industry and $500 million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
American Airlines adds destinations and increases capacity between Québec City and the United States Français
Service to Dallas-Fort Worth Will Boost Regional Tourism QUÉBEC CITY, Aug. 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), Destination Québec cité, and the City of Québec are delighted that American Airlines is adding to its service from Québec City, particularly with a new direct route between Québec City and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Starting today, American will offer a direct flight every Saturday between YQB and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), until November 1, 2025. American will operate non-stop service to DFW with Embraer 175 aircraft that feature premium cabins. American Airlines is also increasing its non-stop service to Charlotte (CLT), North Carolina, now offering a daily flight to the major hub until October 5, then a weekly flight until November 1, 2025. These services join the daily summer flights to Philadelphia (PHL) and Chicago (ORD), giving Québec City passengers more options for direct flights to the U.S. Given that Québec City is asserting itself as a leading tourist destination in North America and the United States is its main international market, the new fall route to DFW will be a major boon for American cruise passengers. What's more, American Airlines expanding its services in Québec City will help develop high-potential markets such as California, the Southeastern U.S., and Florida. QUOTES "We're delighted to have Dallas-Fort Worth added to our selection of destinations, and to see the route between Québec City and Charlotte increase in frequency as well. With four destinations now offered, American Airlines has shown great confidence in us. These additions will also improve connectivity to destinations such as the Caribbean, Europe, and all of the United States, since DFW, Charlotte, Chicago, and Philadelphia are all key hubs for the airline." – Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB "The addition of a direct link between Québec City and Dallas represents a major strategic driver of development for our destination, both as a port of embarkation for international cruises and as a fall getaway city. By connecting Québec City to one of the largest hub airports in the United States, this flight makes it easier for more American travellers to access the region. It will help increase our visibility on the international market while generating tangible economic benefits for Québec City and the surrounding municipalities." – Julie Harvey, Director, International Marketing Section at Destination Québec cité "The airport is a major driver of tourism development for our city, and I am delighted to see its services expanded even further. The new direct route to Dallas-Fort Worth strengthens our position as a must-visit tourist destination in North America, while opening the door to significant economic benefits. Even more Americans will have the opportunity to come and discover our beautiful city, especially during the fall foliage season." – Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City "We're excited to be further extending our reach into Canada, adding more flights to Québec City as we further connect the U.S. to the ever-growing tourist destination. Our new seasonal weekly service from Dallas-Fort Worth provides customers with a greater opportunity to explore the scenery, history, and culture Québec City has to offer." – José A. Freig, VP International and Inflight Dining Operations, American Airlines About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport's management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America. About Destination Québec cité Destination Québec cité has over 825 members spread across a territory that includes Québec City, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake, and the surrounding areas of Portneuf, La Jacques-Cartier, Île d'Orléans, and Côte-de-Beaupré. In short, Destination Québec cité guides and drives growth in the tourism industry and contributes to its economic prosperity by supporting marketing and development, welcoming tourists, and providing information about the area. Véronique Boulanger, Communications Advisor, Public Relations Media Relations and Spokesperson Destination Québec cité Tel.: 581-985-7440 [email protected]
Montreal Gazette
an hour ago
- Montreal Gazette
Libman: Maybe it's time to hit pause on our dizzying dance with Trump
I remember as a kid frenetically chasing after a rubber Superball as it bounced around, careening off everything, not knowing where it would bounce next, constantly out of reach. That's what it must feel like to deal with Donald Trump and try to figure out a way to pin down a complicated trade agreement, of all things. International trade, commerce and business need economic stability and predictability. In Canada's history, we've never had to face such a wild card U.S. presidency and been forced to navigate as volatile a relationship with our largest trading partner. Every day seems to bring a different turn. The goalposts seem to move whenever a new idea or insult pops into Trump's head — which he broadcasts on social media — surprising our politicians. There's often no common-sense rationale with Trump. It's dizzying, infuriating and in many ways surreal. One day his chiding of Canada could be related to fentanyl, the next illegal immigrants or imaginary trade imbalances. Perhaps disdain due to slights by our former prime minister still lingers, or maybe current PM Mark Carey hasn't been flattering enough. Who knows? Many Canadians boldly want to see an 'elbows up' approach of defiance. But let's face it — economically we're at the mercy of our much bigger U.S. neighbour. Particularly with this president, as with most bullies or egomaniacs, any attempt at fighting back is likely to backfire. When Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to impose a 25-per-cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states, Trump roared, threatening a 50-per-cent retaliatory tariff the next day, causing Ford to meekly scurry backwards. Trump's flunky, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, said '(Trump) needed to break some guy in Ontario who said he was going to tax American energy.' Lutnick himself often looks foolish, talking in a vacuum without any idea what his boss might decide the next day. Our politicians don't seem to have any game plan or know how to handle this, as they have no idea what to expect next. Federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc, François-Philippe Champagne, Anita Anand and Mélanie Joly seem to be running like hamsters on a wheel. You also get the sense Carney is constantly biting his tongue to avoid criticizing the president, knowing it could boomerang. Last week, not having reached a deal by the Aug. 1 deadline, Trump raised the tariff rate from 25 to 35 per cent on Canadian goods not covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, again evoking Canada's failure to control the 'ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.' Fentanyl seizures from Canada are less than 0.1 per cent of total U.S. seizures of the drug, but facts are irrelevant in this alternate reality. Perhaps it's time our federal government just went back to governing and stopped this dance. The more we dance, the more Trump will make us dance. If a deal is struck, fine — but patience may be a more sensible approach than scrambling for a deal, any deal. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington is soon expected to rule on whether Trump's tariffs are even legal under the Constitution, which grants Congress powers over trade. Trump has circumvented this by claiming he can use presidential emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, something the judges hearing the case have skeptically questioned. Also, the cost impact of tariffs — the higher wages to American workers to produce goods and materials in the U.S., rather than importing at a lower price — presumably will soon start hitting Americans in their wallets. Only if Americans wake up and start questioning Trump's policies will he likely blink. Maybe it's time to stop chasing the ball for now and let the courts and other economic indicators shape the narrative. Robert Libman is an architect and planning consultant who has served as Equality Party leader and MNA, mayor of Côte-St-Luc and a member of the Montreal executive committee. He was a Conservative candidate in the 2015 federal election.
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
John Weissenberger: Canada fought for Quebec. Would it do the same for Alberta?
Article content Quebec's transformation into a linguistic monoculture and distinctly second-tier economy was done consciously and deliberately. A fascinating social experiment, but why are we subsidizing it? Article content Article content Western aspirations unfolded differently. Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau's national energy program mandated below-market energy prices for eastern Canada at the West's expense. Alberta's revenue from oil and natural gas fell from about 60 per cent of its budget in 1981 to just over 20 by mid-decade, while unemployment reached 11 per cent, tripling between 1981 and 1983. Tens of thousands lost their homes and businesses as the '80s became a lost decade. Unfortunately, the large western contingent in Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's 1984 majority failed to change the pattern. Ottawa remained focused on Quebec — notably awarding a massive fighter-jet servicing contract to Montreal's Canadair in 1986, despite Winnipeg-based Bristol Aerospace's cheaper, superior bid. Chalk up another $3.5 billion (2025 dollars) to Quebec at the West's expense. Article content Westerners have responded with repeated calls for change. The Reform party, founded in 1987, had explicitly federalist goals — 'The West wants in' — but was not exactly welcomed by Central Canada. Subsequently, there was the 2001 'firewall' letter by Stephen Harper and 'Calgary School' academics, followed by then-premier Jason Kenney's Fair Deal Panel (2020) and the Free Alberta Strategy. All sought ways to free Alberta from the arbitrary whims of the federal government. Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's 2022 Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act aims to counter unconstitutional federal laws, while her 2025 Alberta Next initiative kicked off by demonstrating how myriad Liberal laws and policies cripple Alberta — to the tune of $500 billion in lost investment capital over the last 10 years. With the Mansell numbers, that adds up to $1.1 trillion in economic punishment meted upon one province. Article content So far, no love from Central Canada. Reaction seems rather to channel the old Liberal adage from the late Keith Davey — 'Screw the West, we'll take the rest.' In 2001, Jean Chrétien mused that Alberta's 'fortunate position' was 'creating pressure on neighbouring provinces' and that others had 'the right to have their share of these opportunities.' Article content Article content More recently, Justin Trudeau observed in 2012 that, 'Canada is struggling right now because Albertans are controlling the … social democratic agenda.' Asked whether Canada would be better off with more Quebecers in power than Albertans, Trudeau replied: 'I'm a Liberal, so of course I think so.' Recent Donald Trump-fuelled Liberal Maple-Leafism also leaves many westerners cold, given that five minutes ago, Trudeau said Canada was an irredeemably racist post-national state. Article content Meanwhile, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says Alberta's complaints are mundanely economic, and is 'not certain that oil and gas qualifies to define a culture.' Seemingly, decades of lost livelihoods and unrealized potential are mundane. Article content Kudos to such multi-generational consistency, from Pierre Trudeau asking farmers in Winnipeg, 'Why should I sell your wheat?' (1968), to Chrétien and Justin Trudeau, with little sign that the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney will abandon course. Given one party's 60-year imposition of policies inimical to the West — and that it's in power more often than not — the question facing Albertans, and westerners more broadly is: will we continue to acquiesce? As Reform party founder Preston Manning said: 'I don't support secession but, if separate, I wouldn't advocate joining.' Article content
